{"title":"Summer of Sancerre","description":"\u003cp\u003eYou may have noticed a certain French white wine having a bit of a moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe're not going to say why. (Okay, fine: a very famous musician was spotted with a bottle in her recent documentary series, and the internet absolutely lost its mind.) Google searches for Sancerre have hit what analysts are calling \"breakout\" status, a 5,000%+ spike in searches. That's not a typo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere's the thing though: wine people have known about Sancerre forever. Made from Sauvignon Blanc grown on chalky hillsides in France's Loire Valley, it's everything a great white wine should be: bright, crisp, mineral, and impossibly refreshing in summer. It didn't need a famous fan to validate it. But hey, welcome, everyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe good news? We have plenty. The better news? Ours comes from producers who were making world-class Sancerre long before the algorithm caught up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStop by the shop at 4877 MacArthur Blvd NW, or order online. We're open Monday–Saturday, 10am–7pm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheers,\u003cbr\u003eThe Bassins Team\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2024-gerard-boulay-sancerre-a-chavignol-750ml","title":"2024 Gerard Boulay Sancerre a Chavignol (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFew names carry more weight in Sancerre than Gérard Boulay. This small, nine-hectare family domaine in Chavignol can trace its history back to 1380, when land records cite Jean Boulay as owner of vineyards in the village. Of those nine hectares, eight are planted on the steep slopes of Chavignol in Kimmeridgian limestone, or \"terres blanches,\" soils closely related to those of Chablis, which Boulay has farmed organically since 1990 and works entirely by hand. The youngest vines on the estate were planted in 1972, giving the domaine an average vine age of around 45 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGérard adds no commercial yeast and little to no sulfur during vinification, describing his role as one of \"surveillance,\" letting the wine live and following his instincts rather than imposing a winemaking formula. The wine ferments naturally in tank and ages for eight months on lees, with roughly 95% in tank and 5% in large used wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 is racy and complex, opening with bright citrus and herbaceous notes that reveal melon, pink grapefruit, white pepper, and minerals with aeration. The palate is lush and mouth-coating, with wonderful acidity and very good balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh oysters, grilled fish, and shellfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChavignol goat cheese and arugula salads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHerb-roasted chicken and spring vegetables\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Boulay, Gerard","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45394297127098,"sku":"101762","price":46.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0098624_2024-gerard-boulay-sancerre-a-chavignol-750ml.jpg?v=1768359266"},{"product_id":"2024-merlin-cherrier-sancerre-750ml","title":"2024 Merlin Cherrier - Sancerre (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eA benchmark Sancerre from one of Bué's most respected family estates, the 2024 Domaine Merlin-Cherrier is a textbook expression of cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc with genuine terroir character. Now in the hands of winemaker Agathe Merlin, who took over from her father Thierry in 2022, the domaine is cultivated sustainably in the celebrated Bué sub-region of Sancerre. The estate works thirty parcels totaling 32 acres, predominantly in Bué, a village prized for its caillottes soils, the stony Oxfordian limestone that produces wines with broad aromatics and elegant profiles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith a focus on minimal intervention in viticulture, the estate preserves the character of its vineyards and the surrounding ecosystem. In the glass, this Sancerre reveals aromas of lemon, spring flowers, menthol, and pear; the palate is chiseled and taut, perfectly balanced and moderately weighted, finishing with a pure, saline, and crystalline quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOysters, shellfish, and grilled white fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLoire goat cheese, including Crottin de Chavignol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightly dressed salads and herb-forward spring dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnjoy in its vibrant youth, or cellar with confidence for three to five years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Merlin Cherrier","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45394311872698,"sku":"102150","price":41.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0099007_2024-merlin-cherrier-sancerre-750ml.jpg?v=1768359459"},{"product_id":"2024-alphonse-mellot-sancerre-la-moussiere-750ml","title":"2024 Alphonse Mellot - Sancerre La Moussiere (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of the Loire Valley's most storied estates, Domaine Alphonse Mellot has been producing Sancerre from the same family since 1513. The current Alphonse Mellot is the 19th generation to steward this historic property, and La Moussière is its flagship cuvée. The vineyard encompasses 34 hectares of vines planted on Saint-Doulchard marls with a south and southwest exposure, farmed organically and biodynamically. Biodynamic farming has been practiced here since 1999, with all fruit hand-harvested.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter sorting and whole-cluster pneumatic pressing, the must settles at low temperature for approximately 48 hours before fermenting half in tank and half in new barrels. The wine then ages on fine lees for seven to eight months before bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 is a rounded, airy wine with pure, clear fruit and a finely textured palate, showing pretty lemon, nettle, and fresh pineapple characters with no intrusive oak. Almost Burgundian in style, it has lovely concentration and a lush texture, with fresh mineral acidity keeping everything in balance and a long, smooth finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOysters, roasted langoustines, and grilled fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrottin de Chavignol and other Loire goat cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePike in beurre blanc and other classic French bistro dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelicious now and worth cellaring for several years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alphonse Mellot","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45394323407034,"sku":"102424","price":49.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0099298_2024-alphonse-mellot-sancerre-la-moussiere-750ml.jpg?v=1768359594"},{"product_id":"2024-domaine-durand-sancerre-750ml","title":"2024 Domaine Durand - Sancerre (750ml)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiscover one of the Loire Valley's most expressive Sauvignon Blancs from a producer rooted in family tradition. Domaine Durand is a three-generation family estate based in the hamlet of Les Epsailles in Crézancy-en-Sancerre, where the Durand family combines generations of experience with a commitment to authentic, appellation-driven winemaking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian limestone, a calcareous sediment rich in fossilized shells that lends old-vine Sauvignon Blanc its signature mineral identity. After harvest, the wine is typically aged three to five months on fine lees in tank, building texture and complexity while preserving a crisp, vibrant profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the glass, this Sancerre shows a pale gold color with silver highlights. The nose is fresh and inviting, with menthol and citrus notes leading to a supple, open palate, finishing with lively vivacity and freshness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh oysters, grilled fish, and shellfish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClassic Loire goat cheeses, including Crottin de Chavignol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLight poultry dishes and spring vegetable salads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Domaine Durand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45394325012666,"sku":"102467","price":34.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0099363_2024-domaine-durand-sancerre-750ml.png?v=1768407007"},{"product_id":"2024-henri-bourgeois-sancerre-la-cote-des-monts-damnes-750ml","title":"2024 Henri Bourgeois - Sancerre La Cote Des Monts Damnes (750ml)","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis is a Sancerre with genuine grand cru ambitions, sourced from one of the appellation's most celebrated and demanding sites. La Côte des Monts Damnés is an extremely steep south and southwest-facing slope in the village of Chavignol, composed of Kimmeridgian marls, a soil formed from fossilized seashells and clay. Only 12 wineries own vines on this slope, and Henri Bourgeois holds more of it than anyone, in a prime position straddling the top of the hill. Since the 11th century, noblemen disputed ownership of these parcels, and the terroir imparts roundness, depth, and exceptional longevity to the wines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDuring harvest, only the ripest grapes are hand-picked and gently pressed. The must settles naturally for several days before fermenting in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. The wine is then matured on fine lees for nine to ten months before bottling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2024 opens with pristine aromas of fresh-cut herbs, crushed stone, and tart citrus. The palate is long, rich, and beautifully focused, with an energetic surge of bright herbs and ripe lemon that carries through a vibrant, mineral-laced finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOysters, shellfish, and grilled white fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoat cheese, including Crottin de Chavignol\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVeal, Asian-inspired dishes, and asparagus\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest enjoyed now through five or more years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Henri Bourgeois","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45628021506234,"sku":"103081","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0099978_2024-henri-bourgeois-sancerre-la-cote-des-monts-damnes-750ml.jpg?v=1771292649"},{"product_id":"2024-foucher-lebrun-sancerre-le-mont-750ml","title":"2024 Foucher-Lebrun - Sancerre Le Mont (750ml)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom hillside plots in the Loire’s Sancerre, the 2024 Le Mont captures the region’s hallmark brightness and mineral character. Grown in limestone and clay soils that give classic Sancerre its signature snap, this Sauvignon Blanc is lively, precise, and instantly enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAromas offer citrus zest, white peach, and crushed stone, leading to a crisp palate with energetic acidity. The finish is clean and refreshing, distinctly Loire in style, with that signature mineral edge carrying through from nose to finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur direct-import allocation ensures a small parcel of this true Sancerre at compelling value, making the 2024 Le Mont a standout purchase for lovers of the Loire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAromas: citrus zest, white peach, crushed stone\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePalate: crisp, energetic, precise\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: clean, refreshing, distinctly Loire\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFood pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOysters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGoat cheese\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSeafood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlso excellent as a refreshing glass on its own\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Foucher-Lebrun","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45628026454202,"sku":"103116","price":33.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/0100056_2024-foucher-lebrun-sancerre-le-mont-750ml.jpg?v=1771292692"},{"product_id":"2025-reverdy-jean-sancerre-rose-750ml","title":"2025 Reverdy, Jean - Sancerre ROSE (750ml)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of Sancerre's most consistently praised rosés, the Jean Reverdy Les Villots is a benchmark expression of what Pinot Noir can achieve in this classic Loire appellation. Domaine Jean Reverdy is located in Verdigny, one of Sancerre's top villages, with a history dating back to 1650 and now in its tenth generation of family ownership. The domaine covers 12 hectares, with three hectares devoted to Pinot Noir for red and rosé production, all from vines 25 years and older.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vines selected for the rosé are grown on caillottes limestone soils with an easterly exposure, allowing slow, gradual ripening. Sustainable viticulture has been practiced here for over twenty years, with partial vine thinning in July to encourage good health and maturity. The Pinot Noir grapes are harvested early to preserve the freshness and acidity essential to a fine rosé. The wine is made from a blend of 60% direct press and 40% saignée, with the bled juice drawn off after a light maceration to achieve its characteristic salmon color. After settling, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is a pale salmon pink wine with delicate aromas of roses and orange blossom that open into gooseberry and peach blossom as the wine warms in the glass. The palate is crisp, lean, and elegant, with persistent flavors of cherry, blackcurrant, apricot, and red currant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoultry, grilled salmon, and light charcuterie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpiced dishes and summer salads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAperitif, especially well-chilled on warm evenings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Reverdy, Jean","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45709820559546,"sku":"103567","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/reverdy_sancerre_rose_bottle_568.jpg?v=1773675285"},{"product_id":"2025-domaine-malleron-sancerre-750ml","title":"2025 Domaine Malleron - Sancerre (750ml)","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA genuine family estate rooted in the southern reaches of the appellation, Domaine René Malleron offers an authentic and unpretentious expression of Sancerre at an accessible price. The domaine has been a family business for over a century, passing from father to son, with the estate covering just over 11 hectares situated in the southern part of Sancerre at the foot of the surrounding hillsides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate devotes 28.5 acres to Sauvignon Blanc for white wine production. Domaine René Malleron practices sustainable agriculture, with chemical treatments used only when strictly necessary and grasses allowed to grow between the vine rows to attract beneficial insects and prevent erosion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vineyard soils are predominantly limestone clays with pebbles and red soil. Fermentation takes place at controlled temperatures in stainless steel, and the wine ages on fine lees before bottling. The resulting style is a pale golden wine with citrus aromas and mineral hints that delivers classic Sancerre character in a fresh, approachable style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs beautifully with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOysters, shellfish, and grilled fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFresh goat cheese and light salads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAperitif and casual warm-weather dining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Domaine Malleron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45778560843962,"sku":"103786","price":36.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/domaine-rene-malleron-sancerre_1.png?v=1776267923"},{"product_id":"2025-reverdy-hippolyte-sancerre-750ml","title":"2025 Reverdy, Hippolyte - Sancerre (750ml)","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe Reverdy family has farmed in the village of Verdigny, in the eastern Loire, since as far back as the 1600s, when the land supported a mix of crops alongside a small herd of goats. It was not until after World War II that Hippolyte Reverdy began expanding Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir production to meet growing demand from Paris, and his sons soon began bottling wine under the family's own name. Michel Reverdy joined the domaine in 1971, and after a period of hardship following the loss of his father and two brothers, he carried the estate forward largely on his own, eventually gaining a reputation, with the help of importer Kermit Lynch, as one of the benchmark producers in all of Sancerre. Today his daughter, Julie Guiard, works alongside him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe domaine farms fourteen hectares across roughly twenty parcels, with vines averaging thirty years old and trained in the traditional Guyot system on Kimmeridgian limestone and clay soils known locally as Terres Blanches. Farming follows a reasoned, low-intervention approach, and the grapes are gently pressed before the juice settles, ferments in temperature-controlled stainless steel, and rests on its lees for several months with periodic stirring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe wine shows bright citrus and citrus peel aromas layered with stony, saline minerality and subtle florals. The palate is racy and energetic, finishing long, dry, and refreshing. Pair it with fresh oysters, grilled sole, or a chilled chèvre.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Reverdy, Hippolyte","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46155467653306,"sku":"104677","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/6836\/5498\/files\/HippolyteReverdySancerreBottle.jpg?v=1784134945"}],"url":"https:\/\/bassins.com\/collections\/summer-of-sancerre.oembed","provider":"MacArthur Beverages","version":"1.0","type":"link"}